Lunch Break: You Won't Want To Share
Garlic sauce, a fantastic burger, and anchovies - dishes to make you go ga-ga: it's what's for lunch in today's Lunch Break. By Yvo Sin.
Ipanema
13 W 46th St
New York, NY 10036
(212) 730-5848
ipanemanyc.com
Reviews & More Info
Ipanema is no slouch when it comes to deliciousness. Start your meal with the fried, spiced sausage (pictured) and marvel at how such a simple thing - fried slices of sausage! - could bring such joy to your mouth. Save room for the main event, though: bife de portugesa, steak topped with a fried egg (if you want the yolk runny - and you do - make this clear to the waiter, or it will arrive fully cooked), drowned in the most delicious garlic sauce you'll ever taste. Try as you might, you'll find it impossible to resist soaking the fried potatoes and all of your rice (both of which come with the dish) in that sauce, just to get every last drop in your belly. When you glance up, in a daze, you'll realize all the sauce is gone, the crazy look in your eye has frightened your friends, and you just want... more... of that sauce. Amazing.
Lure Fishbar
142 Mercer Street
New York, NY
(212) 431-7676
lurefishbar.com
See Also: NYC's Best Oyster Bars
Lure Fishbar's lunch menu has, as one might expect, the usual suspects: a raw bar section, oysters, clams, platters of delicious chilled seafood; sushi, sashimi, handrolls; seafood-centered soups, salads, appetizers and entrees. But the surprise standout on the menu is actually the Lure Burger (not the regular cheeseburger!): a juicy burger with ketchup, mustard, pickles, lettuce, tomato and special sauce, served on buttery brioche. Thin-cut fries complete the platter, all of which make visiting the seafood-centric restaurant worth it for any land lovers. If you can't bring yourself to order a burger at a seafood restaurant, check out the fish & chips section of the menu for lobster tail tempura served with chips... guaranteed to make you smile.
Otto
1 5th Ave
New York, NY 10003
(212) 995-9559
ottopizzeria.com
See Also: NYC's Best Pizza
There's no denying that Otto, the most casual establishment in Mario Batali's empire, makes great thin crust pizza: the crust is impossibly thin, barely rising above cracker status in its crisp texture and lean countenance. What makes this place a deal? Check out the grande pesci (pictured); priced at $21, it includes one of each of the five small dishes under the "fish" appetizer section - which are each alone $8. If you're alone, this eaten with the crusty bread at Otto will be more than a meal; if you're with friends, this shared with the table will bring many smiles. Don't shy away from the anchovies; house-cured, instead of being fishy in taste and smell, they are simply bursting with vinegary goodness. On second thought, you may not want to share with anyone...
For the latest on where to eat in the Tri-State, follow us on Twitter!
Yvo Sin is the founder and head writer of The Feisty Foodie.
